Classic Poem

Flowers , wherefore do ye bloom?
— We strew thy pathway to the tomb.

Stars, wherefore do ye rise?
— To light thy spirit to the skies.

Fair Moon, why dost thou wane?
— That I may wax again.

O Sun, what makes thy beams so bright?
— The Word that said, — " Let there be light. "

Planets, what guides you in your course?
— Unseen, unfelt, unfailing force.

Nature, whence sprang thy glorious frame?
— My Maker call'd me, and I came.

O Light, thy subtle essence who may know?
— Ask not; for all things but myself I show.

What is yon arch which every where I see?
— The sign of omnipresent Deity.

Where rests the horizon's all embracing zone?
— Where earth, God 's footstool, touches heaven, his throne.

Ye clouds, what bring ye in your train?
— God 's embassies, — storm, lightning, hail, or rain.

Winds, whence and whither do ye blow?
— Thou must be born again to know.

Bow in the cloud, what token dost thou bear?
— That Justice still cries " strike , " and Mercy " spare . "

Dews of the morning, wherefore were ye given?
— To shine on earth, then rise to heaven.

Rise, glitter, break; yet, Bubble, tell me why?
— To show the course of all beneath the sky.

Stay, Meteor, stay thy falling fire!
— No, thus shall all the host of heaven expire.

Ocean, what law thy chainless waves confined?
— That which in Reason's limits holds thy mind.

Time, whither dost thou flee?
— I travel to Eternity.

Eternity, what art thou, — say?
— Time past, time present, time to come, — to-day .

Ye Dead, where can your dwelling be?
— The house for all the living: — come and see.

O Life, what is thy breath?
— A vapour lost in death.

O Death, how ends thy strife?
— In everlasting life.

O Grave, where is thy victory?
— Ask Him who rose again for me.